"If I release it and it feels good, I don't really care if it doesn't go in -- that's how I try to look at it."

Obviously Stauskas cares if it goes in, but his point does make sense -- if his shot doesn't feel "off," then he's going to keep cranking them.

And though he's 3 of 13 from downtown in Michigan's last three games, he doesn't consider his stroke to be off right now.

Stauskas' 3-point shooting percentage actually dipped below 50 percent for the season (49.5) after a 1 of 4 showing against the Golden Gophers. But, that number is still second-best in the Big Ten and sixth nationally.

Part of the issue Stauskas is facing now has to do with the league he plays in. Every team in the Big Ten knows he can shoot, and every team will likely do whatever it can to keep him from doing so.

There haven't been many open looks in halfcourt sets for Stauskas of late, and as the year goes on, he'll have to work even harder to find other ways to get the basketball and to contribute.

On Thursday, he put the ball on the floor and went to the basket. He went 3 of 6 from the floor, 4 of 6 from the line, and managed to finish in double figures with 11 points.

"He does not have the 50 games of experience that Trey (Burke) has," Michigan coach John Beilein said. "I don't have any reason to believe he won't respond, but time will tell.

"We just keep working with him."

For a player who isn't used to missing, bad skids can be alarming -- but for Stauskas, they're a chance to learn.

"It's a learning experience," he said. "Not every game you'll be hot, you're going to have some (tough) games.